bad luck. pissed that ghana went through, and even more pissed that either ghana or usa will finish in the top 8.

plenty of optimism material for you guys, as you pretty much steamrolled asia to get there. The a-league is moving in the right direction, and after a while the home-based side will be able to sass nearly all of asia. the game in general is looking up in australasia, as the heart shown by NZ (along wth the acquisition of a few players) makes it difficult to see us being as troubled by clowns like bahrain.

BEST FOR US:
Schwatzy (let`s be honest, he kept us in it)
Goalman Holman (no longer LOLman)
Timmy (He had obviously eaten his wheatbix)
Neil and BeaCHAMP! (Who should have been on ahead of Moore anyway)
WilkSIR (he gave his all, hope he`s not too injured)
No longer mini Vinnie!
Bresch and EMMO were good too.
Jesus can use his feet too! Well done by him!
Carney looked shakey in the first half, but improved.
Chippers was a great sub!
Who did I leave out...oh yeah, Culina, he was OK.

Edited by mattx: 24/6/2010 08:01:38 AM

I want to see cahill and kewell at the asian cup, I want to win it, we have 4 years of experimenting ahead of us anyways... glad the GA/Farina era is completely out of the way.

From Holman to Hero! There are going to be plenty of 'what ifs?' but ultimately the team played in a quintessential Aussie way and I am very proud of that performance. This team will set the standard for years to come. Pim got it wrong againsy Germany but he has to be one of the world's best second half coaches, once again Australia was unstoppable in the second half. And Michael Beauchamp played superbly, so much for the thought that we can't replace Moore. Welcome back to the A League. Would have preferred to see Vidosic on to replace the injured Wilkshire - Garcia just doesn't threaten goals. And once again Mark Milligan goes through a World Cup and doesn't get a game. Thank you to all the Socceroos and I am looking forward to the future with great anticpation - Rhys Williams, David Williams, Luke Wilkshire as captain, Holman, Valeri, Vidosic, Mooy, Lowry and so on. The ride is going to be great and will go for ever...

Unfortunately we didn't take a couple of other chances we had and let a Serbian goal in. But ultimately the results against Germany and Ghana hurt us, we probably could have drawn with Germany if we played how we should have (thanks Pim) and could have easily beaten Ghana, and topped the group.

Holman's goal was great. Was a bit unfortunate to see that he had his normal passing boots on, there was a good chance there that went begging.

Kennedy was giving away a lot of free kicks in an attempt to hold the ball up. Unfortunately no close-up replays to see if they were justified.

Despite any criticism of the players in this post, overall I was happy with their performance and it was good to see them not only giving 100% physically but also mentally.

Edited by phreeky: 24/6/2010 07:55:12 AM

hypothetically had we only loss to germany 2-0 (before we loss cahill). would we have gone through with a 2-1 scoreline against serbia?

Edited by Bryan: 24/6/2010 07:57:10 AM

Australia ALWAYS play better with Kennedy in the team... We are a target man team and Cahill, then Holman ghosting off him makes us look extremely dangerous and hard for any team to handle. We would have lost 1/0 to Germany if we fielded this team in game 1. And we'd been celebrating tonight like crazy bastards!! Here's hoping the new coach keeps the 4-2-3-1 structure with the 1 being Jesus... if so, Asian Cup champs is a given.

On another note - well done Australia. Thank you for giving us our best ever result in the history of Australian football (fact!)

Forgot the 12th man! The Aussie crowd was so good, we could hear the Aussie fans over the Vuvuzellas!! They got stuck in to that skillful Serbian blonde guy, and put him off so much that he got subbed early.

Also forgot about Garcia, but he was forgettable...

Edited by mattx: 24/6/2010 08:01:05 AM

Edited by mattx: 24/6/2010 08:01:58 AM

It's a weird thing to say, but, yes, I suppose Australia has some 'World Cup pedigree' now, we'll be right for 2014, we'll qualify for it.



Edited by diego's son: 24/6/2010 08:05:02 AM

Aussi crowd support has been epic, right up there with Dutch, Mexicans and Poms. Will be fucking mad if we get get a chance to host!

Too hyped to go to sleep so I'll just list some of the thoughts going through my head.

Absolutely gutted and devasted that we are out. We did have the potential to go through but C'est le vie.

Talking about this current game: stunning, absolutely brilliant from the lads just what wanted from the lads. We beat one of the emerging dark horses from Europe, excellent stuff. We finished on the same points as we did last World Cup but unfortunatly we needed results to go our way, which is never the best way to be succesful. We can also have a good dig at our English friends, we scored more goals in the group stages than they did. :D

On Pim and the matches on a whole. Well, I think he did really well and those bagging him are either nutcases or a just so hyper atm they can't see the forest from the trees.

Do people not realise against Germany we were 2-0 until Cahill got sent off for an "Orange"? That could have meant, if we hadn't conceded a Serbian goal tonight wed have been through on goals scored. An interesting "What if?" to all those been put out there. Pim failed tactically in 2 and a half matches. He went for a tactical surprise against the Krauts and it failed. We were much better in the second half until the Cahill red.

In the Ghana match, we were fucked over by two descision that imo, cost us two points which obviously affects us more than a -2 GD. Its disappointing that a team can score from penalties and progess, they were the worst side in our group but that's football.

I will always maintain that Kewell should never been sent off. Letter of the law, the keyword is deliberate and that was never a deliberate handball. End of as far as I'm concerned. That tackle on Bresciano was a straight red but again we get the short end of the stick. Pim's tactics, changes and subs were spot on and the boys responded well from the disappointment of the previous match.

Back to this mornings match again Pim was faultless. The players played well and hung on against a decent side, Schwarzer kept us in the match in that first half. Second half we played well and that double subsitution, brilliant. That 15-20 minute spell was our best playing of the World Cup. Holman, well done to giving the finger in the best way to all your haters. Pim again, wonderful in sticking with him. You gave him the confidence to play as he did. Hats off to both.

As for the Serbs goal...damn, it didn't matter in the end but just as well. It was a mistake and fumble no way how you look at it, however "hard" it was. It was almost a carbon copy of Kingston's error. That said, I hold no bitterness or grudges to Schwarzer. Our #1 player in qualifying and has been one of our best all tourney and he did save us from going behind this match.

Ghana shouldn't go through they were not the 2nd best side, Australia or Serbia were, its just a pity that officials and dodgy rules can help that. However we can hold are head, there's many positives from the tournament. We finished with the same results as '06, we won a match, stopped our 2nd Balkan opponent from progressing and showed the spirit and attitudes Australians are proud off. This tournament HAS been a SUCCESS for us and if anyone knows me, I'm largely pessimistic. :P

I wish Pim all the best, he did well, he's no Hiddink but he's done more for Australian football than people give him credit for but then the great football unwashed just listen to media spin don't they?

All the best in Morroco, leave Australia on a high and hopefully the next manager can build on the foundations you've implemented. I actuaally believe 'nurturing' and rebuilding with youngster is a Football Associations role, a manager can't 'create' or develop a player in his formative years but a FA can. All a manager can do is get the best he can from the best players at his disposal.

The next phase in Aussie football will be interesting. I don't think we have the players with the current ability to qualify for 2014 but some youngster could improve. It will be intersting.

Now to turn our attention to Group G - good luck Kiwis!

Germany cost us big time - and really it would of only been two nil if our tatics were better and timmy wasnt sent off...

Im proud of the boys on the park - those off it well dont hit the door on the way out!


after the asian cup what do we have, countless waterdown friendlies that mean f all and give false sence of security - IF we are fair dinkum about the future of the socceroos/australia it should start with Asia Cup

screw patch up jobs and so called high profile 'coaches' who only care about using us as a steping stone to european clubs - this is our future we are playing with

Has anyone seen the footage of this? I only caught a brief replay while channel flicking during the game and it looked very similar to the Kewell incident!

Congrats boys you showed the world the real aussie spirit and played they way we always new you could. Even though we didnt get to the next round. You showed what Australia was all about and showed the real us, which was missing in the first game.

Did anyone else notice at full time how the Serbians were whingeing to the match officials, presumably about Tim Cahill's unintentional hand ball in the penalty area? I almost thought for a split second when that happened he was going to get red carded and hand Serbia a goal. Thank god the ref got that one right.

Well Done Lads the NATION IS SO PROUD OF YOU ! We all KNOW That TIMMY IS THE MAN, but I am the first to ADMIT I WAS SO WRONG ABOUT BRETT HOLMAN - he had a SUPER WORLD CUP. THE AUSSIE SPIRIT IS ALIVE AND WELL, WELL DONE SOCCEROOS.

As one of the few that kept the faith in Holman all the way I'm laughing my ass off at everyone who is changing their tune. Not in a mean-spirited way, mind you, it's just great to see it happen. It's good to see you all back on the right side of the fence, I knew he'd make you come around eventually.

The Socceroos can come home proud. They were embarrassed by Germany due to a horrific underestimation of their own abilities but they truly proved their worth as a 10-man side held on for 65 minutes to a 1-1 draw and we went out and humbled Serbia with a great offensive and defensive effort (except maybe Carney - I mean, what the hell was he *doing* half the time?).

We're proud of you, lads; congratulations on your World Cup performance.

It was exactly the fucking same!

Red card, down to 10 men, penalty, goal in on instance and play on in the other.

How can there be such a difference for the same "offense".

Now, the difference between a red card and a yellow can be slim at times, but for something like this, it's a joke.

Also, not surprised Serbia weren't down to 10 men after Cahill got an elbow to the head jumping for a header in the box. That sort of thing has been given too but not here.

Oh, for some consistency.

Edited by hotrod: 24/6/2010 02:26:40 PM

2011 Asian Cup, japan, Korea, China, Iran & Saudi Arabia...come get some!

Look on the bright side.

So far there are only two countries going home after winning their last game in the WC, Seth Efrika and us. Expect to see another 1 or 2 in the remaining games, plus the eventual winner.

How many countries can say they won their last WC finals match???

So proud of the boys, they really bounced back after a first poor performance and showed the world the amount of spirit that they have. Great representitives of Australian footballers and Australans in general.

Fantastic performance, especially in the second half. Continued our form from the Ghana game and restored some pride to what was so dashed by the defeat to Germany.

Two fantastic goals, complemented by some fantastic defending and saves at the other end.
Valeri stepped up magnificently, brilliant efforts.

We came so close - But who would've expected it after the first game.

Crazy to think that one of Uruguay, Mexico, Ghana and USA will be in the SEMI-FINALS of a World Cup!

Out of them, I think Uruguay deserve it most. Mexico and Ghana both have had some good performances, the Mexicans against the French and Ghana against Serbia, but USA I am not too sure will get past the Round of 16. Uruguay though have been outstanding. 7 points in the Group Stages, undefeated and didn't concede 1 goal. We can definitely beat South Korea.

But yeah, absolutely wonderful performance by the Aussies. Even when all seemed lost, they came out and gave it their best and were so close to even doing the impossible. The showed great fighting spirit, and I admire them dearly for it.

Haha, no bias in there? Mexico was by far and away the best team in the group and played some fantastic football, look forward to seeing them play Argentina. USA just keep coming back and topped their group so I can't rule them out. Ghana were very very average and got lucky to make it through the group, I could see the USA giving them a hidding to be honest. Uruguay have played some good football, interesting match up with South Korea. I picked the Koreans to make it through the group and maybe get to the quaters, should be a good game.

My reasoning, is that the team who doesn't concede any goals, remains undefeated and also tops the group usually is the best team in the group. I will not deny Mexico played some great attacking football, but Uruguay did as well. The thing that seperates the two are defence. Uruguay have a much better defence than the Mexicans, and are much better at the counter attack. Mexico are playing Argentina, and I don't think they can beat them. Uruguay vs South Korea is going to be very interesting, but with the performances they have produced so far and with the Koreans quite poor defence I can't go past us.

Ghana of course were lucky to go through, and both the Socceroos and Serbia deserved it more I thought. If the U.S are to beat them, they really need to work on putting away their chances.

I wonder if Wilkshere's feeling really bad now...not that he should of course.

Of course you do. :P

I'd say they're probably the favourites though.

There's still time for a firey bus crash 8-[

Luis Suarez's for means they're almost certain to be there. Probably playing the dutch.

Congratulations to the Socceroos!We are all so proud and i hope the masses carry their pride and come to the homegrown AUSSIE A-League, because the game needs you....bring your passion, bring your flags, A-League season 6 will be a cracker!TV advertsing has already started on CH 7...good one FFA!